HAMDEN, CT — Arts for Learning Connecticut (AFLCT) is excited to announce that it has received a $5,000 grant from the Norma and Natale Sestero Fund, administered by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. This generous funding will support “Express Yourself,” a cultural arts learning initiative to inspire creativity, foster cultural understanding, and enhance social-emotional learning for students at Gideon Welles School in Glastonbury.
The “Express Yourself” program will provide over 500 students in grades 5 and 6 with hands-on workshops and vibrant performances led by professional Teaching Artists. This initiative engages students in creative expression while connecting their personal narratives to broader cultural contexts. It aligns with AFLCT’s mission to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts.
“We are grateful to the Sestero Fund for recognizing the power of arts learning to transform student experiences in our communities,” said John-Michael Parker, AFLCT’s Executive Director. “This grant allows us to continue our partnership with Gideon Welles School, bringing culturally responsive and inclusive arts learning programming to their students.”
The program will take place during the 2024-25 academic year and include two cycles of workshops and performances. Students can explore various art forms such as music, dance, theater, and visual arts, gaining skills aligned with the National Core Arts Standards and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) practices. The program aims to cultivate empathy, self-expression, and collaboration while celebrating the diversity of the school community.
In the words of one past participant, “One thing I learned about myself was that there was an ARTIST in me.” AFLCT anticipates similar transformative outcomes for students at Gideon Welles School.
This grant continues AFLCT’s long-standing commitment to bringing high-quality arts education to students across Connecticut. In the 2023-24 academic year alone, AFLCT provided over 1,700 programs to 65,000 students and educators. By collaborating with schools like Gideon Welles, AFLCT ensures that arts learning remains accessible and impactful for students of all backgrounds.